Locker unit comprising a plurality of lockers

ABSTRACT

A locker unit comprises a plurality of lockers provided with doors equipped with a locking device. The locking device consists of a mechanical lock and an auxiliary lock having an electric drive for said device. The locking device comprises a rest position which blocks the access to the mechanical lock and/or its movement, and an opening position which frees said access and/or said movement.

The invention relates to a locker unit comprising a plurality oflockers, each of which is provided with its own door, which has alocking device with a mechanical lock.

Various locker units are already known, comprising a plurality oflockers, in which each individual locker is provided with its own doorand which can be locked with a locking device. Such lockers, also knownas safety deposit boxes, are often used in banks, in order to allowcustomers to store valuables without any inspection by the bank. Inorder to achieve security to prevent unauthorized opening of a locker,these doors are usually equipped with two mechanical locks, oneso-called customer lock and one bank lock. This ensures that after thecustomer has presented proof of authorization to open the locker, he canopen it, and that in addition to the customer key, there is additionalprotection against unauthorized access. The so-called bank lock isopened by a bank employee who accompanies the customer after an identitycheck, and the customer can then open the locker with his own key. It isdisturbing for many customers that the bank employee, who is presentwith the customer in the locker area, can observe the transactions ofthe customer. Accordingly, the banks have attempted to automate accessto such locker units, with another factor being high personnel costs.

Therefore, locker units have become known in which one of the two locksin the door, specifically the bank lock, can be released via remotecontrol, by a bank employee who works outside the locker unit. Such alock is known, for example, from EP-OS 0 096 400. With additionalsecurity circuits, it is guaranteed that in case of a mistaken releaseby the bank employee, the bank lock falls into place againautomatically, within a very short period of time, so that even asubsequent attempt by a customer to penetrate into a locker with askeleton key will fail. In addition, numerous safety measures, such asmovement sensors, infrared sensors, etc., are arranged as securitydevices in the locker unit, as is also usual in other vault units. It isdisadvantageous in such locker units that either the personnelexpenditure for operating the bank lock is relatively high, or that whenusing currently known locks, the energy for activating the electricallyactivated locks is relatively high. This requires extensive electricalinstallations, so that these systems are not suitable for upgradingdoors of a locker unit which are equipped with two mechanical locks. Insuch units, all the doors of the locker unit would have to be replacedand special wiring would have to be installed. The expenditure for thisis relatively high, and in addition, it is a significant problem that itis not always possible to bring all the customers together on the sameday, to remove the valuables stored in the lockers, so that therenovation can be carried out.

The present invention is therefore based on the task of creating alocker unit of the type stated initially, in which locker units withmechanically activated doors, especially existing ones, can be equippedin simple manner in such a way that the so-called bank lock can beactivated by remote control, without a high energy expenditure beingrequired for this. Furthermore, it should be possible to refit existinglocker units without having to replace the doors, and without having toinstall a costly wiring network.

This task of the invention is accomplished in that the locking devicecomprises an auxiliary lock assigned to the lock, which has anelectrical drive for a locking device, and that the locking devicecomprises a rest position which blocks access to or movement of themechanically activated customer lock, and an open position which freesthis access and/or movement. This now makes it possible to achieve, inadvantageous manner, that access to the mechanically activated customerlock, i.e. its activation, is prevented via the auxiliary lock. Withthis measure, which appears relatively simple, it is achieved that theenergy expenditure for activation of the closing device of the auxiliarylock can be kept very low, since the lock does not have to perform a"blocking function." In addition, it is made possible, in surprisinglysimple manner, for any locker unit with any lock system to be simplyequipped with the new auxiliary lock.

According to a further embodiment, it is provided that the auxiliarylocks of the individual lockers are connected with a control deviceand/or a central control unit, which allows central monitoring andactivation of the lockers and therefore increased security againstunauthorized opening of such lockers.

It is also possible, however, for the auxiliary lock to be arranged onan outside of the door facing away from the interior of the locker, andto be connected with the door via attachment means, which makes itpossible to install the auxiliary lock on doors with mechanical locks,without an additional structure on the inside and thereby withoutreducing the interior space of the lockers.

Furthermore, it is also possible that the auxiliary lock is attached tothe door of the locker in front of a keyhole of the mechanical lock. Inthis way, the auxiliary lock can be installed on a door, in simplemanner, even if the door was originally provided with two mechanicallocks, and additional security is provided by the remote control settingin the auxiliary lock.

It is also advantageous, however, if the attachment means are formed bya self-adhesive glue layer arranged on the auxiliary lock, since then nomechanical work of any kind is necessary on the door of the locker.

Furthermore, it is also possible, however, that the attachment means areformed by a holder element which acts together with the mechanical lockin the door, since then the second mechanical lock can be used to attachthe auxiliary lock according to the invention.

However, it is also advantageous if the locking device has a rotatingbolt, which comprises an activation button which projects out of theauxiliary lock and locking projections which penetrate an opening in alocking plate, these projections being arranged on the rotating bolt,and that the locking projections have an open position which aligns withthe opening, and a closed position in which they are turned relative tothe opening, and that the rotating bolt has a stop device assigned toit, with a spring device, which exerts a spring tension in the directionof the closed position of the rotating bolt, and which is assigned to alocking element which acts together with a bolt and a drive, sinceadditional mechanical security can be achieved with minimal expenditure,and this mechanism can be simply changed from the locked to the unlockedposition, with a drive which requires only little energy.

Furthermore, it is also possible, however, that the locking device has alocking pin arranged perpendicular to the door, which is adjustable,which has spring tension put on it against the direction of the lockingbolt of the mechanical lock, via a spring device, to bring it into arest position in which it engages with the locking bolt, and is held inthis position via a locking element, to which an electrical drive whichis mounted to be adjustable vertical to the locking pin is assigned. Inthis way, it is possible for the user of the locker, in simple manner,to engage the second security, namely the bank security, by himself,after having completed his manipulation, by pressing in the locking boltlike a push button.

Furthermore, it is also possible, however, that the locking device hasan adjustable locking pin arranged perpendicular to the door, which isheld in a rest position in which it engages with the locking bolt, byspring tension against the direction of the locking bolt of themechanical lock, via a spring device, and can be adjusted by means of adrive, against the effect of the spring device, which limits the energyrequirement for unlocking this additional mechanical lock to retractionof a locking pin, and therefore cannot be controlled by remote control,so that manual activation can be replaced in simple manner.

According to another embodiment, it is provided that an opening of thelocking device which penetrates the auxiliary lock perpendicular to adoor surface is arranged to be aligned to cover the keyhole of themechanical lock, since this means that the key previously used for themechanical customer lock can continue to be used.

Beyond this, however, it is also possible that the auxiliary lock has atleast one shutter connected with the drive, which is adjustable relativeto the keyhole. This embodiment particularly distinguishes itself by thefact that only the energy required for moving the shutter has to beapplied, with this shutter representing the additional bank lock, with acorresponding structure, for example with a central lock or with a slitlock corresponding to the structure of a camera, only in a suitablerobust form.

It is also advantageous if a drive is assigned to several auxiliarylocks of several doors, which is arranged in an activation deviceadjustable relative to these, since this makes the expenditure foradditional securing of the doors of the lockers slight, especially whenrefitting locker units which have doors with two locks.

Furthermore, it is also possible that the drive is connected to movewith a key for the auxiliary lock, which especially has a rest positionlying within the activation device and a locking position lying outsideof the same, which allows simple mechanization of the activitypreviously performed by a bank employee.

Furthermore, it is also possible, however, that measurement valuetransmitters connected with the control device are assigned to theattachment means and/or the shutter and/or the auxiliary lock and/or theactivation device. The measurement value sensors allow a determinationof the lock status at any particular time, and can simultaneously beused to increase security against unauthorized opening of the lockers,which makes it possible not only to allow easier and more cost-effectiveoperation of the locker unit, but also to increase the security standardof such a locker unit.

It is advantageous for this if a measurement value sensor is assigned tothe locking device, especially the shutter, in the rest position, whichis activated when the shutter is moved out of the rest position, sincein this way, the position of the shutter can be monitored, both tomonitor whether or not opening of the bank lock has taken place inauthorized manner, and to monitor proper functioning of the bank lockafter intentional opening by a bank employee has taken place.

Furthermore, it is also possible, however, that the measurement valuesensor assigned to the auxiliary lock is activated at a distance fromthe door of the locker. With this arrangement of a measurement valuesensor, it is possible, in simple manner, to monitor the position of theauxiliary lock relative to the door, so that even without complicatedmechanical attachment devices, sufficient security against unauthorizedremoval of the auxiliary lock forming the bank lock can be achieved.

According to another embodiment, it is provided that the control device,i.e. the locker computer is connected, via translation components, e.g.modulator or demodulator, with a communications system for energy and/orsignal transmission between the locker computer or the control deviceand the energy source and/or a central control unit. In this way, theexpenditure for the energy supply and data transmission in such a lockerunit can be reduced.

In this, it is advantageous if the communications system is formed by aline insulated from the armored wall and connected with the controldevices, and by the armored wall of the locker unit, since in this way,the necessary energy and the control signals for a large number oflockers can be transmitted on a single wire, i.e. a single line.

According to another embodiment, it is provided that the line is formedby a track arranged on the doors of the lockers, with an insulatinglayer arranged in between, which makes it possible to eliminate layingadditional lines in existing locker units.

For this, it is possible that the track consists of an electricallyconductive, especially semi-conductive, plastic, which allows the lineto be applied to be produced in the form of a design or a paint coating,so that its actual function is not immediately evident to an outsider.

Furthermore, however, it is also possible that the connection of thetrack between the doors and/or the corpus takes place by means ofcontact devices, which facilitates connection of several auxiliary locksof a locker unit.

According to another variation, it is provided that the line is formedby a photoconductor and that transmission elements for wirelessconnection of photoconductors are arranged between the doors and/or thearmored wall, which makes it possible to have a seamless connectionbetween the connecting photoconductor parts, even when a door with anauxiliary lock is opened. Furthermore, the cross-section required forsuch optical cables is slight and highly efficient, so that both greaterenergy as well as a large amount of data can be transmittedsimultaneously.

It is advantageous for this if the transmission elements are providedwith a swivelling lens, since this allows transmission in the hinge areaof the door between the door and the corpus.

According to another embodiment, it is provided that two tracks areprovided and that a track arranged on the door is switched with the onetrack when the door is closed and with the other track when the door isopen, which ensures a perfect connection with the energy and data supplysystem both when the door is open and when it is closed.

Furthermore, it is also possible, however, that the contact device isformed by contacts arranged on the door and an armored wall forming thecorpus, or between the doors, which align with one another, which makesit possible to indicate the status of the door, whether open or closed,immediately, via the interruption in the communications connection,since energy and data supply is only necessary in the closed conditionof the door, in any case, so that in case of an interruption, the doorcan only have been opened with or without permission. However, on thebasis of the release by the bank employee, it can be determined whetheropening took place properly or improperly.

Furthermore, an embodiment is advantageous, in which the communicationssystem between the auxiliary locks and the energy source and/or thecentral control unit is wireless, since this makes it possible toeliminate the production of tracks in the area of the corpus, i.e. thelockers, entirely, and if a suitable energy storage unit is used in theauxiliary lock, even short-term interruptions in the energy and datatransmission by a customer cannot disturb the overall function of theauxiliary lock.

According to another embodiment, it is provided that the contact deviceis formed by inductive or capacitive transmission devices arranged onthe door and on the corpus or its armored wall, since this allowssimple, contact-free transmission of the energy and data.

According to another development, it is provided that the communicationssystem has a receiver connected with a control device and a transmitterfor carrier radiation and/or oscillation and/or force fields, such asheat, light, sound, magnetism, etc., connected with the energy sourceand/or the central control unit, and located at a distance from thereceiver, which makes it possible for the supply to come from a centrallocation, but not to be disturbed when individual doors in the lockerunit are opened.

It is advantageous in this if the communications system between theenergy source and the auxiliary lock comprises a light transmitter and alight receiver, especially for infrared light, since in this way, thelight source which exists in such units in any case can be used forenergy and data transmission, and this is a relatively unobtrusivesupply unit, not immediately evident to the customer, which alsorequires little expenditure for refitting of such locker units.

It is advantageous in this if the translation component of thecommunications system has translation elements for superimposition ofdata on the carrier radiation, and for screening of information from thecarrier radiation, between the central control unit and the auxiliarylock, since this makes it possible to use different frequencies in thelight spectrum for data transmission and energy transmission, at thesame time, and an additional medium is not required for this task.

It is furthermore advantageous if the auxiliary lock covers the keyholefor the lock arranged in the door, and, if necessary, also the auxiliarylock, since then the second lock can be used for emergency activation bythe bank, after the auxiliary lock has been removed.

It is also possible, however, that the auxiliary lock or a group ofauxiliary locks is connected with an input and/or read device, sincethis makes it possible to keep the control technology expenditure foradministration of the lockers which are provided with refitted auxiliarylocks slight.

It is also advantageous, however, if the lines of the communicationssystems are arranged in a housing of the auxiliary lock, since thismakes it possible to reduce the wiring expenditure in the area of thelocker unit to a minimum.

Finally, however, it is also possible that the housings of the auxiliarylocks of adjacent doors are connected with one another via contactdevices, which makes it possible for the auxiliary locks to contain notonly the security function for the bank lock, but simultaneously alsothe necessary equipment and systems for energy supply and datatransmission.

For a better comprehension of the invention, it will be explained in thefollowing, on the basis of the embodiments shown in the drawings.

These show:

FIG. 1 a part of the locker unit structured according to the invention,with lockers, vault door, operating table and control electronics, in asimplified schematic representation;

FIG. 2 the locker unit in a frontal view, in cross-section, along thelines II--II in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 a part of the locker unit on a larger scale, with the lockerdoors closed;

FIG. 4 the locker unit in a frontal view, in cross-section, along thelines IV--IV in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 the locker unit in a frontal view, in cross-section, along thelines V--V in FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 an auxiliary lock structured according to the invention, in afrontal view, in partial cross-section;

FIG. 7 another embodiment of the auxiliary lock shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 a communications system between the lockers and a central unit,in a simplified schematic representation;

FIG. 9 a coil for signal transmission, attached at the safe door;

FIG. 10 a coil for signal transmission, attached at the armored wall;

FIG. 11 an auxiliary lock according to the invention in a frontal view,in cross-section;

FIG. 12 an arrangement of the tracks for supply to the auxiliary lock;

FIG. 13 the arrangement of the tracks in cross-section, along linesXIII--XIII in FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 the transition area between the safe door and the safe block ina top view;

FIG. 15 the tracks according to FIG. 13 glued on, in a frontal view, incross-section;

FIG. 16 a variation according to the invention, for data transmissionbetween auxiliary locks;

FIG. 17 an activation device for unlocking mechanically activated lockerdoors, in a frontal view;

FIG. 18 the activation device according to FIG. 17 in a side view;

FIG. 19 another embodiment of the activation device in a frontal view;

FIG. 20 the activation device according to FIG. 19 in a side view;

FIG. 21 a locker with marking points for the activation devices shown inFIG. 17 to 20;

FIG. 22 an antenna arrangement for data transmission according to theinvention, via electrical or electromagnetic fields, in a top view, anda simplified schematic representation;

FIG. 23 an antenna arrangement for data transmission according to theinvention, via electromagnetic or magnetic fields, in a simplifiedschematic representation;

FIG. 24 a block schematic of a control device structured according tothe invention;

FIG. 25 a block schematic of a locker computer module;

FIG. 26 a diagram with the pulse progression of cycle pulses in a lineleading to the locker computers;

FIG. 27 a diagram with the pulse progression of cycle pulses modified bythe locker computers;

FIG. 28 a diagram with the pulse progression of cycle pulses modified bythe locker computers and by the network controller;

FIG. 29 a block schematic of a network controller;

FIG. 30 a block schematic of a locker computer;

FIG. 31 a block schematic of an embodiment for transmission of energyand data to a locker computer;

FIG. 32 another embodiment of an auxiliary lock and a variation for itsattachment to a door of a locker in a top view, in partial cross-sectionand in a simplified schematic representation.

FIG. 1 shows a locker unit 1 comprising a plurality of lockers 2, in asimplified schematic illustration. The locker unit 1 is located, forexample, in the vault 3 of a bank 4. Access to the vault is possible viaan access door 5, which can be formed by a door with bars, or, duringnight hours, by an armored door. In order to allow access to the lockerunit 1, a monitoring station 7 is set up in the anteroom 6 of the vault3, or in another room of the bank. This comprises a monitor workstation8 and, if necessary, a card reader device 9. The monitor workstation 8and the card reader device 9 are connected, for example, with a centralcontrol unit 11 via a data line 10. Furthermore, a record printer 12 andanother card reader device 9 located in the area of the access door 5are also connected to this central control unit 11. Via a bus system 13,or, in the case of smaller units, a corresponding data cable, the lockerunit 1 is also connected with the central control unit 11. Each of thelockers 2 is closed with a door 14, which has a locking device 15assigned to it. This locking device 15 has a mechanical lock 16.

If a user or owner of a locker 2 wants to visit his locker, he mustidentify himself, for example at the monitor workstation 8, by insertingan identification card similar to a credit card, which has been madeavailable to him, into the card reader, or by filling out and signing aform prepared by the clerk. The clerk then has the opportunity to inputthe customer number or name of the user via the monitor workstation, andthe screen then shows him the corresponding signature or personal data,for example a photograph, so that he can check the person's identity. Ifchecking of the security provisions has yielded positive results, thebank employee can release the locker 2 in question for access by theuser, via the monitor workstation and the central control unit 11. Theuser then goes to the area of the access door 5, where he obtains accessto the vault, if necessary after again having his access authorizationchecked by using the card reader device 9. In the vault 3, he can nowopen the locker 2 which belongs to him, the auxiliary lock 17 of whichis shown schematically and was unlocked via the central control unit 11,i.e. from the monitor workstation 8. This auxiliary lock 17 is usuallyreferred to as a bank lock.

FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of a locking device 15 for a door 18 of alocker 2. These lockers 2 are installed in a corpus which is formed fromarmored walls 19, between which the doors 18 are inserted, which in turnare attached to the armored walls 19 via hinges 20. This locking device15 comprises a mechanical lock 16. For activation of the mechanicallock, a keyhole 21 is arranged in the door 18, by way of which a key 22can be inserted into the lock mechanism 23. The lock mechanism isconnected to move with a locking bolt 24. The locking movement of thelocking bolt 24 can, if necessary, be supported with a spring 25. Anauxiliary lock 26 has a locking pin 27, which is mounted to beadjustable perpendicular to the door 18, and passes through the door 18as well as through an edged area of the armored wall 19 and engages witha bore 28 in the locking bolt 24. The locking pin 27, which acts as abolt, is connected with a drive 29, which is formed as an electromagnet,for example. The locking pin 27 is held with tension against the effectof the drive 29, by a spring device 30, so that it engages securely withthe locking bolt 24. The auxiliary lock 26 is rigidly attached to thedoor 18 by means of attachment means 31, e.g. a layer of adhesive 32.

The drive 29 is connected with a control device 34 via lines 33.Measurement value sensors 35 and 36 are assigned to the control device34, by means of which the position of the auxiliary lock 26 relative tothe door 18 can be constantly monitored, i.e. with which the ambienttemperatures or vibrations can be determined, in order to determinewhether an unauthorized person is attempting to gain access to a locker2 by force. These measurement value sensors 35 and 36 are preferablyattached on a circuit board 37 or a computer board, on which the controldevice 34 is mounted. The computer board can, of course, also be formedfrom a cast module which is provided with standardized plug-in devices.It is connected with a solar cell arrangement 39, for example, via atranslation component 38, which in turn forms a component of acommunications system 40--FIG. 3.

As is better evident from FIG. 3, the communications system consists ofemitters 41, which are connected with an energy source 42 as well as thecentral control unit 11 or any other control computer. The energyrequired for activation of the drive 29 is symbolically represented bylight beams 43, and it is possible that the signals 44, which areschematically shown by a wavy line in the drawing, are superimposed onthese light beams 43. This superimposition can take place both forsignal transmission from the emitters 41 to the translation component38, and in the opposite direction. The signal transmission between thetranslation component 38 and the emitter 41 for passing on signals tothe control unit 11 is important so that in case of disturbances orattempts at access by unauthorized third parties, an alarm or anindication to the operator or the bank is given as soon as possible, sothat any illegal opening of a locker 2 can be prevented as quickly aspossible.

FIG. 4 furthermore shows that the solar cell arrangement 39 can beequipped with solar cells 45 arranged in a scale formation. It isespecially advantageous if the individual solar cells are inclined at anangle 46 relative to the vertical, which corresponds to the incidentangle of the light beams 43, so that the best possible energy yield ofthe light beams 45 can be achieved, i.e. so that good signal receptionof the signals 44 is ensured. Of course it is also possible that thesolar cells 45 are arranged parallel to the doors, as shown in FIG. 3,i.e. that the angle 46 is 90 degrees.

FIG. 5 shows another embodiment for an auxiliary lock 26. The door 18,as was described for FIG. 2, is mounted on armored walls 19 to pivot viahinges 20. On the side of the door 18 facing away from the operator, amechanical lock 16 is arranged, which is rigidly connected with the door18. For activation of the lock 16, a key 22 is provided, which can beinserted into the lock 16 via a keyhole 21. For the lock 16, any knownmechanical lock with a sufficient degree of security for such purposesof use can be utilized. This mechanical lock can also be provided withan auxiliary lock 47 which works in parallel with the locking device 15,as schematically indicated. If, in order to facilitate operationaccording to the invention, this auxiliary lock 47 is to be replaced byremote control, a housing 48 of the auxiliary lock 26 is installed infront of the keyhole 21 of the auxiliary lock 47, for example. Thehousing 48 can, as indicated schematically, be connected with the door18 with attachment means, for example mechanically via attachment screws49. The auxiliary lock 26 comprises a locking device 50. This has, amongother things, a rotating bolt 51 arranged perpendicular to the door 18.When the door 18 is closed, locking projections 52 pass through thearmored wall 19 and can be pivoted into the position shown with solidlines, relative to an opening 53, in which a distance between the pointsof the two locking projections 52 spaced farthest apart is greater thana width of the opening 53. A height of the opening 53 essentiallycorresponds to this distance between the points of the two lockingprojections 52 spaced farthest apart, or is slightly greater. Therotating bolt which holds the locking projections 52 is furthermoreconnected with an activation button 54 which projects beyond the housing48, so that the rotating bolt 51 can be activated from outside thelocker 2. Furthermore, a locking element 55 is connected to rotate withthe locking bolt 51, as is schematically indicated by weld seams betweenthe rotating bolt 51 and the locking element 55, which can be formed bya disk.

As is better evident from FIG. 6, the locking element 55 is jointed to aspring device 56, which is mounted in the housing 48 with its end facingaway from the rotating bolt 51. With this spring device 56, a tensionacting in the closed position, schematically indicated by an arrow, isexerted on the rotating bolt 51. The spring device 56 therefore attemptsto always keep the locking projections 52 in their position whichcorresponds to the closed position, and is shown with solid lines inFIG. 5. Now in order to allow activation of the rotating bolt 51 only ifan authorized user wants to open the door 18 of his locker 2, a stopdevice 57 is provided. This consists, in the example shown in FIG. 6, ofa drive 58, e.g. a piezo drive, and a bolt 59 which works together withit, which engages in a recess of the disk-shaped locking element 55 inits rest position, shown with solid lines. If an unauthorized user nowtries to turn the rotating bolt 51 into the open direction with theactivation button 54, this is not possible, since rotation of thedisk-shaped locking element 55 is prevented by the bolt 59. If, on theother hand, access to the locker 2 has been released by the bank, poweris supplied to the bolt 59 via the control device 34, i.e. it deforms inthe direction indicated with dot-dash lines, due to its inherentmaterial properties. Therefore it moves out of the circumference area ofthe disk-shaped locking element 55, and the rotating bolt 51 can now bemoved against the tension indicated by the--arrow--into its openposition, in which the locking projections 52 can pass through theopening 53. If the authorized user has previously opened the mechanicallock with the key 22, he now has free access to his locker 2. The supplyto the control device 34 can come via lines, or it is also possible tocarry out energy and signal transmission via light beams 43, as wasdescribed on the basis of FIG. 3 and 4. In this case, solar cells 45would have to be arranged on the housing 48.

In order to prevent the auxiliary lock 26 from being removed from thedoor 18 without authorization, i.e. in order to be able to monitor thedesired position of the disk-shaped locking element, several measurementvalue sensors 60 to 62 are arranged. The measurement value sensor 60monitors the position of a monitor tab 63 on the disk-shaped lockingelement 55. If the monitor tab 63 is rotated out of the position shown,the measurement value sensor 60, which can be formed by anelectromagnetically activated approximation switch, for example, isactivated and issues a corresponding control signal to the controldevice 34. The measurement value sensor 62 can be structured similar tothe measurement value sensor 60, in order to monitor, for example,whether the auxiliary lock 26 is maintaining its pre-set positionrelative to the door 18. If the auxiliary lock 26 is removed from thedoor 18 in authorized manner, the magnetic field changes and the controldevice 34 can be informed, with a corresponding monitoring signal, sothat an external alarm can be triggered. The measurement value sensor 61can be a vibration sensor, combined with or separate from a temperaturesensor, so that in case of impermissible vibrations, such as those whichwould occur if a locker were opened with a jimmy or crowbar, or attemperatures which are above permissible temperatures, due to a weldingprocess or something similar, a signal is also passed on to the controldevice 34, which results in triggering of an external alarm. Of courseany other element which can be adjusted under the effect of current ortemperature, for example a bimetallic or memory metal element, can beused instead of a piezo element.

FIG. 7 shows an embodiment variation of the stop device 57. In thisembodiment, the disk-shaped locking element 55 has a stop tab 64assigned to it, which is adjustable radially to the disk-shaped lockingelement 55, against the effect of a spring 66, via an electromagnet 65.The stop tab 64 can, at the same time, also form the movable core of theelectromagnet 65. If the electromagnet 65 is now activated before anauthorized opening of the door 18, the stop tab in the electromagnet ispulled in, against the effect of the spring 66, and movement of therotating bolt 51 is released. This makes it possible to move therotating bolt 51 into an open position, against the effect of the springdevice 56, as described on the basis of FIG. 5 and 6.

FIG. 8 to 11 show another embodiment of an auxiliary lock 26. In thisembodiment again, the auxiliary lock 26 is installed on the door 18 of alocker 2. Each door 18 of a locker 2 is connected with the armored wall19 via hinges 20. The armored walls have an angled structure and thelocking bolt 24 of the mechanical lock 16 engages behind them. Thismakes it possible to lock the door 18 in its closed position relative tothe armored wall 19. To provide power to the auxiliary lock 26, tracks67, 68 are arranged on the armored wall 19 and on the side of the door18 facing this wall. The track 67 on the door 18 is connected with theauxiliary lock 26. i.e. with the control device 34 arranged in it, vialines 69. The mechanical lock 16 can be formed by any known mechanicallock from the state of the art, so that the auxiliary lock 26 canespecially be used to refit doors 18 of lockers 2 which are equippedwith a normal double lock for a so-called "bank key" and a "customerkey." The keyhole 21 originally provided for activation of the "banklock" is preferably covered by the auxiliary lock 26 in this case. Anopening 70 for activation of the "customer lock" is passed through theauxiliary lock 26, so that the bank customer can lock the lock 16through the auxiliary lock 26, using the key he has used previously,after the auxiliary lock 26 has been installed. Attachment of theauxiliary lock 26 to the door 18 can take place by means of screws,adhesive or welding.

FIG. 9 and 10 now show the structure and arrangement of the tracks 67and 68 on a larger scale. Each of these tracks 67 and 68 forms a coil,with this coil being produced of a conductive adhesive strip or sprayedonto an insulating film 71 with conductive paint. This film can be glueddirectly to the side of the door 18 facing towards the armored wall 19,and make contact with the lines 69 passing through the door 18. It isalso possible, however, that the conductive strip--as is schematicallyindicated with broken lines in the area of the auxiliary lock--iswrapped around the door 18' so that drilling through the door 18 can beavoided and the control device 34 can make contact with the track 67directly on the outside of the door 18.

Now in order to supply the coil formed by the track 67 with energy byinduction, the track 68 also forms a coil on the armored wall 19, whichsupplies with an energy system via lines 72, which can also be formed bytracks applied on self-adhesive foils or by conductive foils which areself-adhesive. By appropriately applying alternating current to the coilformed by the track 68, a voltage is induced in the track 67 and thecoil formed from it, which can be used to supply energy to the auxiliarylock 26. By suitable modulation of the alternating current, data orcontrol signals can be transmitted from a central control unit to thecontrol device 34, in addition to energy, by this path.

FIG. 11 shows the structure of the auxiliary lock 26 in detail. Alocking element 73 is formed by a shutter 74, which is provided withgearing 75 over at least part of its circumference. The shutter 74 ismounted to rotate about an axis 76. In addition, it has a recess 77,which is arranged to align with and cover the keyhole 21 in the openposition of the shutter 74, as shown in FIG. 1. On the locking element73, there is furthermore a monitor tab 63, which can also be formed by ametal film glued on or a metal part installed in the locking element 73,which is assigned to the measurement value sensor 60 in the position ofthe locking element 63 as shown, with which the position of the shutter74 can be monitored. The measurement value sensor 60, is connected withthe control device 34, as are the additional measurement value sensors61, 62, which can exercise the same or a similar function as describedon the basis of FIG. 5 to 7. The control device 34 is supplied withenergy and with signals, i.e. data via the lines 69, by the track 67structured as a receiver coil. For this purpose, the lines 69 are passedthrough an opening in the door 18. A drive 78 for a gear wheel 79 isfurthermore connected with the control device 34. This drive can beformed by a stepper motor or a disk-shaped linear motor or any othermotor. It is advantageous if this motor has a very low structuralheight, since then the auxiliary lock 26 can also be produced with avery low structural height.

The operation of the auxiliary lock 26 is now such that when the lock 16is released, the shutter 74 is pivoted with the drive 78, for examplefrom a position in which the recess 77 is in a position shown withbroken lines, in which access to the keyhole 21 is blocked by theshutter 74, into the position of the recess 77 shown with solid lines,with the drive 78. Reaching of this end position is monitored by theinteraction of the monitor tab 63 and the measurement value sensor 60.Furthermore, a measurement value sensor 80 can also be arranged in thearea of the recess 77. By the interaction of the measurement valuesensors 60 and 80, it is then possible to precisely monitor the positionof the shutter 74 at any time, since the closed or locking position ofthe shutter 74 is signalled if the output of the measurement valuesensor 80 is busy, while if the shutter 74 is in the open position, theoutput of the measurement value sensor 60 is giving a signal. At thesame time, the measurement value sensor 80 can be used to monitor thepresence of a key when the shutter 74 is in the open position. Thiswould mean that if both the measurement value sensors 60 and 80 aregiving off signals, the shutter 74 is in the open position and a key isinserted in the keyhole 21. At the same time, this monitoring could beused to enable the keyhole 21 to be closed with the shutter 74 againautomatically, immediately after the lock 16 is locked and the key isremoved from the keyhole 21. This would additionally shorten the timeperiod during which an unauthorized user could manipulate the lock. Whenusing a drive 78 with a flat construction, it is therefore possible tostructure the auxiliary lock 26 in the manner of a slightly thickercredit card. This can then more easily be applied to the door 18 bymeans of a gluing process. Instead of the motor 78, of course, a drivewith a rotary magnet can also be provided, i.e. the keyhole 21 can alsobe blocked by locking pins activated by a magnet.

FIG. 12 and 13 show another embodiment for an auxiliary lock 26. Thisauxiliary lock 26 is again attached on the side of the door 18 whichfaces the user, as is better evident from FIG. 13. The structure of theauxiliary lock 26 can essentially correspond to the embodiment of theauxiliary lock 26 according to FIG. 8 and 11, so that the same referencenumbers are used for the same parts. The doors 18 are attached to thearmored walls 19, i.e. to the armor framework, via hinges 20. On theside of the door 18 which faces towards the inside of the locker 2, amechanical lock 16 is arranged, which can be locked with a key, whichcan be inserted into the lock 16 through a keyhole 21, through the door18. Access to the keyhole 21 can be prevented by a locking plate 81.This locking plate is structured as the movable rotor 82 of a linearmotor 83 in part of its area, to which stators 84 are assigned. Thelinear motor 83 forms the drive 78 for the locking plate 81. By changingthe polarity of the stators 84, the locking plate 81 can be alternatelymoved in the direction of the keyhole 21 or away from it. This makes itpossible to achieve release or locking of the keyhole 21 with simplemeans, which also offer the advantage that they require only a slightstructural depth.

A communications system 85 between the central control unit 11 and thecontrol devices 34 assigned to the individual auxiliary locks 26 isformed by tracks 86, 87. These tracks 86, 87 consist, for example, of anelectrically conductive, especially an electrically semi-conductiveplastic, which is applied to an insulating layer 88. This application ofthe insulating layer 88 as well as of the tracks 86, 87 to the doors 18can take place in such a way that the individual layers are sprayed orevaporated onto the doors consecutively, or it is also possible tostructure the insulating layer 88 and the track 86 as a strip of film,preferably self-adhesive, which is then merely applied to the fronts ofthe doors as well as their frontal edges 89, 90. Between the individualdoors 18, contact devices 91 are arranged to connect the tracks 86between the individual doors, i.e. to connect the tracks 86 with anarmored wall 19, which forms the corpus of the locker unit. Thesecontact devices can have spring-loaded contacts 92, for example, inorder to come into contact with the track 86 in the area of the frontaledge 89. This ensures an undisturbed connection between the tracks 86and sufficient security in the transmission of energy and data betweenthe individual doors 18. As is schematically indicated in FIG. 12, thetrack is coupled with an energy storage in the area of the auxiliarylock 26. This energy storage 93, which can be formed by a battery orsomething similar, is used as a so-called buffer storage, so thatcertain functions of the auxiliary lock 26 can also be carried out inthe open state.

FIG. 14 shows how even when the door 18 is opened, sufficient supply tothe individual control devices 34 in the auxiliary locks 26 can beensured. For this, tracks 94 are arranged on the corpus or the stays orarmored walls 19, which can be arranged on the armored wall 19 using anelastically deformable carrier layer 95, in the area of the doors, forexample. With this parallel circuit of the tracks 94 arranged on thearmored wall and the tracks 86 on the doors 18, a connection and supplyto the other doors can be maintained even if one of the doors 18 isopened. Of course it is also possible, however, to structure the tracks86 and 87 in multi-track form, so that feed and supply of the individualcontrol devices 34 of the doors 18 can be carried out from any side, orit is also possible to use a corresponding control logic circuit in thecentral control unit 11 to prevent more than one locker 2 from beingreleased for access, in a series of lockers 2 arranged one on top of theother.

FIG. 15 shows a line 96 which can be used to produce the tracks 86, 87.This line consists of an insulating layer 88 which forms a carrierlayer, onto which a self-adhesive layer 97 is applied on one side, andtracks 98, 99 and 100 are applied to the opposite side. Of course, evenmore tracks can be arranged on this insulating layer 88, parallel to oneanother. This makes it possible to separate the signal lines from theenergy supply lines or to structure different power circuits, via whichthe individual doors are supplied, for example alternately.

FIG. 16 shows another type of a communications system 85 for supplyingthe energy to the auxiliary locks 26 on doors 18, arranged on top of ornext to each other, of lockers 2 of a locker unit 1. On each of thedoors 18, auxiliary locks 26 are arranged, which can be structured, forexample, according to the embodiments described above. For energy supplyof the individual auxiliary locks 26, the communications system 85 isnow in wireless form. The transmission of energy and data or messagesbetween the auxiliary locks 26 now takes place via transmission elements101, 102 arranged in the auxiliary locks 26 and facing each other. Thesetransmission elements can be formed, in the simplest embodiment, bytransmission and reception lenses for optical fibers 103 connected tothese. It is also possible, of course, that these are light-emitting orlaser diodes as the transmitter unit and corresponding light-sensitiveelements as receiver units. This makes it possible to transmit varioussignal sequences and also energy. The energy transmission can take placewith light waves, magnetic waves or by induction. In the latter case,the transmission elements 101, 102 consist of appropriately structuredcoils.

The transmission elements 101 and 102 are in a circuit with the controldevice 34 arranged in the auxiliary lock in question; a keypad 104, forexample, can also be connected to this. Various data can be input to thecontrol device 34 using the keypad 104. The advantage of such anarrangement is that double security is created for the user of a locker2, since in addition to his "customer key" a personal code can also beinput into the control device 34, without which the locking plate 81does not release the keyhole 21, for example.

FIG. 17 and 18 show another embodiment for automation of an existinglocker unit. The existing unit consists of lockers 2, the doors 18 ofwhich are locked with a mechanical lock 16. The lock 16 has twomechanical locking mechanisms, the so-called auxiliary lock 17 and thelocking device 15. These locking mechanisms can either have two separatekeyholes or one common keyhole. Almost all existing, non-electricalrental locker units are structured In this way. Only one commonactivation device 106 is assigned to a group of doors 18, which isremote-controlled from the operator location of the bank, and canactivate the auxiliary lock 17 of the locks 16. To activate the banklock, a drive 107, for example a rotary drive, is present on theactivation device 106. The rotary drive is rigidly connected to rotatewith a key 108. The drive 107 with the key 108 is connected with asetting drive 110 in a guide track 109, which is aligned perpendicularto the door fronts of the doors 18. Using this setting drive 110, thedrive 107 with the key 108 can be inserted into the keyhole 21 of theauxiliary lock 17. Once the key 108 has engaged in the auxiliary lock17, it can be pivoted into an open position with the drive 107. Thisunlocks the auxiliary lock 17. Then the key 108 with the setting drive110 can be removed from the keyhole 21, and the activation device 106can move into a rest position to the side of the locker 2 to be opened.In order to allow movement along guide tracks 111 into a rest positioneven if doors 18 which are opened during this movement are in theway--as shown in FIG. 17--a carrier arm 112 of the activation device 106can be pivoted from a position adjacent to the doors 18 to a positionfarther away from them. For this, the carrier arm 112 is arranged onpivot axes 113 of carriages 114 which can be moved in the guide tracks111. To pivot the carrier arm 112 around the pivot axes 113, a pivotdrive 115 is provided, which is coupled to rotate with one of the twopivot axes 113.

With this central activation device 106 it is now possible to automateexisting locker units 1 with a plurality of lockers 2, which are securedwith two mechanical locks, so that no bank personnel is needed anylonger to accompany the customer when he opens his locker. Opening ofthe bank lock can now take place via the central activation element 106,before the customer enters the locker area, whereupon he can open thelocker with his customer key. The "bank lock" formed by the auxiliarylock 17 either engages automatically when the "customer lock," namelythe lock 16, is closed, or it can be locked fully automatically afterthe customer has left the vault, using the activation device 106.

FIG. 19 and 20 show another embodiment of a central activation device116 for a plurality of auxiliary locks 17 arranged in doors 18 oflockers 2. This essentially consists of a robot 117 which can be movedalong a guide track 111. For movement along the guide track 111, therobot is provided with a locomotion drive 118, which consists, forexample, of an electrical motor with a pinion on a flange, which engageswith a rack 119 arranged on the guide track 111. A working head 120 ofthe robot 117 is adjustable via a height adjustment drive 121, formed,for example, by a telescoping cylinder, to the position of the auxiliarylock of the door 18 to be opened. Positioning of the working head 120along the guide track 111 is carried out via the movement drive 118. Inthe working head there is a drive 107 for the key 108, which engageswith a keyhole 21 of the auxiliary lock 26. After the working head 120has been centered on the keyhole 21 of the auxiliary lock 17, it can beinserted into the keyhole 21 via a setting drive 110, and then berotated in its open position using the drive 107. Once the auxiliarylock 26 which forms the "bank lock" has been opened, the key 108 can beretracted from the keyhole 21 by means of the setting drive 110, and therobot 117 can be brought to its end position.

Given the design of the robot 117, i.e. its height adjustment drive 121,it is possible to lower the working head 120 into an area below thelocker unit 1 after the auxiliary lock 26 has been locked or unlocked,so that the head can be moved into a predefined rest position withoutthe danger of a collision with an open door 18.

It is also possible to arrange the working head 120 on a pivot arm 122,so that the robot 117 can maintain the position it has taken to open theauxiliary lock 26, and the working head 120 can simply be pivoted intothe position shown with broken lines--as indicated by an arrow 123--sothat access to any door 18 for which the auxiliary lock 17 was unlockedis free.

FIG. 21 shows a part of a door 18, which is provided with two keyholes21 for a mechanical lock 16 and an auxiliary lock 17. In order to allowcentering of the working head 120 or the key 108 with the activationdevice 106 or 116, markings 124 with reference to the keyhole 21 arearranged adjacent to the keyhole 21, which can be scanned with sensorsin the working head 120 or on both sides of the key 108, in order toallow perfect insertion of the key 108 into the keyhole 21 of the lock.

FIG. 22 and 23 show the possibility of wireless energy transmission viaelectrical, magnetic or electromagnetic fields. This principle is ofparticular importance for the automation of existing, purely mechanicallocker units, since little intervention in the existing unit isnecessary.

FIG. 22 shows a locker unit 1 in a top view, the lockers 2 are locatedalong the walls. In the center of the room, antennae 125 are set up;these radiate energy to supply the auxiliary locks 26, and also emit thesignal data necessary to control the locks, and receive the answeringsignals from the auxiliary locks. These antennae are, in turn, connectedwith the central control unit 11. The lines 126 indicate the areacovered by the antennae.

FIG. 23 shows another solution variation according to the invention. Thefigure shows a wall of the locker unit 1 with the lockers 2. On thedoors 18, there are the auxiliary locks 26. Around this block oflockers, a frame antenna 127 is placed, which again is connected withthe central control unit and emits both energy and data, and alsoreceives data from the auxiliary locks. The auxiliary locks 26, whichcan be structured in one of the variations described above, also have anintegrated antenna, e.g. in the form of a coil similar to FIG. 9, whichis in interaction with the frame antenna 127 and handles the data andenergy transmission in this way.

FIG. 24 shows a block schematic of a control device 128, as it wasschematically indicated in FIG. 1. This control device comprises amonitor workstation 8 comprised of a monitor 129 and a keyboard 130, alarge-capacity memory 131 and one or more printers 12 to record theindividual control procedures; linking of the monitors 129, thekeyboards 130, the large-capacity memory 131, as well as the printers12, and output of the corresponding control commands to a networkcontroller 132 takes place via the central control unit 11. Lockercomputers assigned to each individual locker 2, each of which isdesignated as 133, are connected with this network controller 132 vialines 134. Up to 2048 locker computers can be connected with eachnetwork controller, if the system is designed appropriately. Connectionof the network controllers 132 with the locker computers 133 can takeplace via a four-lead safe bus 135 with power supply and half-duplexdata transmission, e.g. RS 422. Connection of the central control unit11 with the monitor 129 and the keyboard 130, as well as thelarge-capacity memory 131 and the printer 12, can take place via serialstandard interfaces, e.g. RS 232 or RS 422, or according to any protocolprogram that can be freely determined.

In addition, it is also possible to make the connection between thenetwork controller 132 and the locker computers 133 assigned to it, asdescribed on the basis of the previous figures, via optical connections,for example modulated infrared light, photoconductors or via magneticfields, e.g. inductively or with high frequency, with special referencebeing made to the illustrations and explanations of FIG. 3, FIG. 9 and10 and FIG. 22, 23.

These additional transmission possibilities were indicated schematicallywith thin wavy lines between the network controller 132 and the lockercomputers 133 assigned to it.

Furthermore, it is possible to bring the central control unit into acircuit with a mainframe computer 137, via a serial interface or anadditional bus system 136.

FIG. 25 shows the basic structure of a locker computer module 138 viathe safe bus 135 or an optical or magnetic communications system40--which is schematically indicated with wavy lines--an energyconverter 139 and a data transmitter and receiver 140, each of whichforms a translation component 38, are supplied with energy or data.These are appropriately taken in and brought into a form in which thesubsequent locker computer 133 can process them, with the energy beingfed to the locker computer 133 via a line 141, and the data being fedvia a line 142. A drive 144 for an auxiliary lock 26 is also arranged onthe locker computer, if necessary, with an amplifier 143 in between inthe circuit. Furthermore, measurement value sensors 60, 61, 62 and 80are connected with the locker computer 133. The measurement value sensor60 can be used to determine whether the lock is locked or open. Themeasurement value sensor 61 makes it possible to determine whether anundesirably and/or impermissibly high temperature is occurring, andaccordingly, if lockers are being opened by force, for example. Themeasurement value sensor 62 can be used to determine whether the door 18is open or closed. The measurement value sensor 80 can be formed by acapacitive sensor which acts as protection against vandalism. Thesignals coming from the individual measurement value sensors are checkedin the locker computer 133, validated, if necessary, and passed to thedata transmitter and receiver 140 via the line 142. There they arereformatted into the safe bus 135, in accordance with the protocol beingused, and transmitted to the central control unit 11 via the safe bus135.

This transmission of signals from the central control unit 11 to thedata transmitter and receiver 140, i.e. from the latter back to thecentral control unit 11, can be achieved by a suitable modification incycle pulses.

The progression of such a control and monitoring procedure is shown inFIG. 26 to 28, using the example of the signal sequence in a safe bus135. FIG. 26 shows a pulse progression, with the voltage in volts beingentered on the abscissa and the time in milliseconds being entered onthe ordinate. The voltage level on line 142 is 15 volts, for example,with the locker computer 33 reducing the voltage to 0 volts via an opencollector output, at intervals of one ms, for approximately 0.25 ms.This results in successive cycle pulses 148.

This theoretical voltage progression on the line 142 is now modified inthe form described in FIG. 27 and FIG. 28, if the network controller 132is connected with a plurality of locker computers 133, 145, 146 and147--FIG. 24. To differentiate the locker computers, these are providedwith an address internal to the system. Thus, the address for the lockercomputer 133 is "0" for example, and "1, 2, 3" for the locker computers145, 146, 147. In both figures, the voltage progression on the line 142is represented according to the representation in FIG. 26. Here, thevoltage progression in FIG. 27 shows the changes which are caused by thelocker computers 133, while the voltage progression in FIG. 28 alsoshows, in addition, the changes in the voltage progression that can becaused by the network controller 132. As will be shown subsequentlyusing block schematics of the network controller 132 and the lockercomputer 133, each locker computer 133 counts along with the cyclepulses 148, with the assumption being made, to explain the controlprocedure, that a control sequence starts at the time t0, i.e. becauseof the increase in voltage on the line 142 from 0 volts to 15 volts, thelocker computer 133 assigned to the locker with the address "0"knows asis shown in FIG. 24 using the right-hand group of locker computers--thatit is being called up. If the locker is now properly closed, which isassumed in the present case, then the voltage level on the line 142 isalready decreased to 0 volts after 0.5 ms, not, as is shown with brokenlines, after 0.75 ms. Since the network controller 132 is also connectedwith the line 142, it determines this premature drop in voltage and cantherefore determine this as confirmation from the locker computer 133that the door of the locker is properly closed.

After elapse of one ms, the voltage on the line 142 goes back up to 15volts, which causes a locker computer 145--FIG. 24--to be called up. Ifit is now assumed that this locker with the internal address of "1" isopen, the voltage progression on this line 142 remains unchanged, i.e.the voltage of 15 volts continues for 0.75 ms. This allows the networkcontroller 132 to determine that the door of the locker with the address"1" is open. A cycle pulse 149 is therefore unchanged as compared withthe cycle progression shown in FIG. 26.

After the voltage on the line 142 has gone back up to 15 volts againafter the cycle pulse 149, this activates a locker computer 146 of athird locker with the internal address "2." In this, it is assumed thatthe locker assigned to the locker computer 146 is defective.Accordingly, a cycle pulse 150 already starts after 0.25 ms, forexample, and the voltage on the line already drops back to 0 volts afterthis time. This allows the network controller to determine that thelocker with the address "2" is defective.

After the end of the cycle pulse 150, the voltage then goes back up to15 volts, which causes another locker computer 147 with the address "3"to activate. In this case, just as in the case of the locker computer133, it is assumed that the door of the locker is open. Accordingly, acycle pulse 151 already starts after 0.5 ms.

It is clearly evident for a person skilled in the art that with such achange in the cycle pulses, i.e. the voltage progression on the line142, more than just the different conditions described can berepresented. It is possible, for instance, among other things, toindicated to the network controller 132, by means of a reduction of thecycle pulse to 0.1 ms, that impermissible opening of the locker hasoccurred. On the other hand, it is also possible, however, that a lockercomputer 133 or 145 or 146 or 147 only gives off a signal or cycle pulse148 or 151 which corresponds to an open door, which allows the networkcontroller 132 to check, by means of an internal comparison, whether ornot release authorization has been issued, that the locker can beopened. If such a release has not been issued, the network controller132 is capable of issuing a signal that generates an alarm signal to thesystem as a whole. In this, it is just possible that triggering of thecycle pulse can be activated not only by the measurement value sensorwhich indicates the closed or open position of the door, but also by theother measurement value sensors 61, 62 and 80.

Finally, FIG. 28 shows how the data for opening the bank lock can betransmitted from the network controller to the locker computer 133, 145,146 and 147 in question. This is done by the fact that the supplyvoltage lying between two cycle pulses 148 to 151 is only 10 voltsinstead of 15 volts, as is shown in FIG. 28 between the cycle pulse atthe time t0 and the cycle pulse 148, or between the cycle pulse 150 andthe cycle pulse 151.

FIG. 29 shows the block schematic of a network controller 132. Thenetwork controller is connected with an energy source with a voltage of+24 volts, for example, by way of which a microprocessor 152 is possiblyalso supplied with energy, via corresponding voltage converters orregulators. From the energy source, the line 142 is supplied with areference voltage of 15 volts via a voltage converter, via a protectiveresistance 153. To produce the cycle pulses, there is a cycle controlelement 154, an opener element 155 and a receiver element 156, Which atthe same time are also connected with the line 142. Corresponding to thecommands of the microprocessor 152, the cycle control element 154, forexample a transistor with an open collector output 157 which reduces thevoltage on the line 142 to 0, is operated at intervals of 1 ms, forexample, but this interval can also be less or greater, and amount to 5ms, for example. After the pre-determined cycle length, activation ofthe cycle control element 154 is interrupted, which causes the voltageon the line 142 to go back up to 15 volts. Now if the command or themessage that the locker is to be opened is supposed to be transmitted tothe locker in question between two cycle pulses, then the voltage on theline 142 can be limited to 10 volts via an opener element 155, whichalso has an open collector output 157, for example a Zener diode whichis set to a threshold value of 10 volts. This makes it possible toachieve the shape of the voltage progression shown in FIG. 28, with thelower voltage on the line making it possible for a locker computer 133to recognize that a drive 144 is supposed to be opened.

FIG. 30 shows a block schematic of the locker computer 133 which isconnected to the line 142. To evaluate the individual data, amicroprocessor 159 is also provided. The entire locker computer 133 issupplied with voltage via the line 142, with a screen element 160 and avoltage regulator 161 being provided for this purpose. Furthermore, themicroprocessor 159 is connected with the line 142 via two thresholdswitches 162, 163. Here again, these can also be comparator elements,with a reference voltage applied to each of them via an input 164.Depending on the voltage applied to the line 142, a signal is now issuedto the microprocessor 159 via the threshold switch 162, or the thresholdswitch 163. Since the reference value is set to greater than 10 volts atthe threshold switch 162 and to greater than 5 volts at the thresholdswitch 163, three different voltage conditions on the line 142 can berecognized by the microprocessor 159, namely threshold switches 162 and163, 15 volts, at least the output of the threshold switch 162 hasvoltage applied to it and possibly also the output of the thresholdswitch 163, and 10 volts, only the output of the threshold switch 163has a signal applied to it.

According to the input conditions defined using FIG. 26 to 28,activation of the line leading from the threshold switch 163 with asignal now means that voltage is to be applied to the drive 144, ifnecessary via an amplifier 143. By retraction of the bolt with the drive144, the measurement value sensor 60 is activated and transmits themessage "bank lock or bolt open" to the microprocessor 159. Accordingly,the reference voltage of 15 volts with the cycle pulse 148 or 151 isprematurely reduced to 0 during the same inquiry cycle, or, in case of alonger response time of the drive 144, during the next inquiry cycle.This again takes place via an open collector output 157 and a capacitor165 arranged between the latter and the line 142. In addition, afteropening of the door of the locker it can be determined, using themeasurement value sensor 80, that the door has been opened, whereuponthe voltage drop on the line 142 to 0 volts in accordance with the cyclepulse 149, in other words without any change as compared with the normalcycle pulse, takes place.

With a unit that is structured in such a relatively simple manner, it istherefore possible to supply a plurality of locker computers with energyand data, without a great expenditure in circuitry, especially with alow expenditure for lines. With the additional use of the capacity 165between the microprocessor 159 and the line 142, it is ensured that evenin case of failure of the locker computer 133, the other lockercomputers 145, 146 and 47 are not blocked and operation of the unit canbe maintained.

FIG. 31 shows another block schematic of a locker computer 146. Fortransmission of data from the line 142 to the locker computer 6,inductive loops 166, 167 are assigned to each other, as was alreadyshown, for example, using the embodiment in FIG. 9 to 11. From theinductive loop 167, lines 69 lead to the locker computer 146. For energysupply to the microprocessor 159, a screen element 160, for example arectifier, is provided, which is followed by a voltage regulator 161.Parallel to a connection line between the voltage regulator 161 and themicroprocessor 159, an energy storage 168 can be provided. This ispreferably formed by a battery. The microprocessor has a cycle controlelement 169, with which the internal calculation processes arecontrolled. To supply the microprocessor 159 with data, the lines 69 areconnected with a receiver 170 and a translation component 171, which inturn is connected in a circuit with the microprocessor 159. An output ofthe microprocessor 159 is connected with a translation component 172 anda transmitter 173.

Furthermore, as is shown schematically, a coding unit 174 can beconnected with the microprocessor 159; this unit makes it possible toinput or program the locker number.

Furthermore, the microprocessor 159 is connected with a measurementvalue sensor 61, for example a capacitive sensor, which is connectedwith the microprocessor 159 via an evaluation element 175 and anoscillator 176. In addition, it is also possible to connect a ring line177 to the microprocessor 159 as protection against vandalism. Via themeasurement value sensors 60 and 80 it can then be determined whetherthe bolt is open or closed, and whether the door of the locker 2 isclosed or open.

Via a switch element 178, e.g. an open collector output, a drive 144 or78 can be activated to activate a shutter 74 with a recess 77, so that akeyhole 21 is released or locked for operation with a key.

FIG. 32 shows a lock 16 attached to the door 18 of a locker 2, as wellas an auxiliary lock 17. Attachment of the door 18 takes place, as wasalready explained on the basis of the previous figures, at an armoredwall 19, for example. The lock 16 has a locking bolt 24, with which thedoor 18 can be locked relative to the armored wall 19. The auxiliarylock 17 which was originally provided, and which acts as a bank lock inmechanical double-lock systems, has a locking bolt 179, which is nowused, in the present case, to hold an auxiliary lock 26 in place in itsposition on the door 18. By turning a key 22 of the auxiliary lock 17,the locking bolt 179 can be retracted and with this, a holder stirrup180, to which the auxiliary lock 26 is rigidly connected, can bereleased. This makes it possible, for example in the case of a defect,to replace the auxiliary lock 26 without the need for having the lockerproprietor be present. To affix the auxiliary lock 26, a guide tab 181is used.

The auxiliary lock 26, which now allows release of the locker 2 byremote control, comprises a locking pin 27, which is pressed away fromthe locking bolt 24 by a spring 182. If the locker customer has used thelocker 2, he presses the locking pin 27 into the position shown withsolid lines, against the effect of the spring 182, in which it is heldin place, by a locking tab 183 which also has force applied to it, insuch a way that the end facing towards the locking bolt 24 engages withthis and makes an adjustment movement of it impossible. If the lockercustomer then wants to use his locker again, the locking pin isretracted into the position shown with broken lines, by retraction ofthe locking tab 183, for example via a drive 184 formed by anelectromagnet, whereupon the locking tab 183 also goes into the positionshown with broken lines, and the locking bolt 24 can be moved with thelock 16. With this structure, the bank lock, which is no longernecessary due to the remote control, can also be used as an emergencyactivation for the remote-controlled bank lock, in the case of refittingof lockers which are equipped with two mechanical locks.

We claim:
 1. A locker unit comprising a plurality of lockers each ofwhich is provided with its own door, each door having a locking deviceincluding a mechanical lock and an auxiliary lock attached to the dooradjacent to a keyhole in the mechanical lock by attachment means, theauxiliary lock having a rest position blocking access to the mechanicallock and an open position freeing the access, and the auxiliary lockcomprising a rotating bolt, a locking plate defining an openingreceiving the rotating bolt, an actuating button on the rotating boltand projecting from the auxiliary lock, locking projections on therotating bolt and projecting beyond the opening in the locking plate,the locking projections having an open position in alignment with theopening and a closed position in which the locking projections areturned relative to the opening, and a stop device for the rotating bolt,the stop device comprising a spring means biased in the direction of theclosed position, a locking element, a bolt cooperating with the lockingelement, and an electrical drive for actuating the bolt.
 2. A lockerunit according to claim 1, wherein the attachment means are formed by aself-adhesive glue layer arranged on the auxiliary lock.
 3. A lockerunit according to claim 1, wherein the attachment means are formed by aholder element which acts together with the mechanical lock in the door.4. A locker unit according to claim 1, wherein the mechanical lockcomprises a locking bolt and the locking device comprises an adjustablelocking pin extending perpendicularly to the door, a spring devicebiasing the locking pin against the locking bolt into a rest position inwhich the locking pin engages the locking bolt, a locking elementholding the locking pin in the rest position, and an electrical driveconnected to the locking pin, the electrical drive being arrangedperpendicularly adjustable with respect to the locking pin.
 5. A lockerunit according to claim 1, wherein the mechanical lock comprises alocking bolt and the locking device comprises an adjustable locking pinextending perpendicularly to the door, a spring device biasing thelocking pin against the locking bolt into a rest position in which thelocking pin engages the locking bolt, and a drive connected to thelocking pin for adjusting the locking pin against the bias of the springdevice.
 6. A locker unit according to claim 1, wherein an opening of thelocking device which penetrates the auxiliary lock perpendicular to adoor surface is arranged to be aligned to cover the keyhole of themechanical lock.
 7. A locker unit according to claim 6, wherein theauxiliary lock comprises at least one shutter adjustable relative to thekeyhole into a rest position and a drive connected to the shutter.
 8. Alocker unit according to claim 7, further comprising a measurement valuesensor associated with the shutter in the test position and actuatedwhen the shutter is moved out of the rest position.
 9. A locker unitaccording to claim 1, further comprising a drive associated with aplurality of said auxiliary locks of a like plurality of said doors, andan actuating device for the drive, the actuating device being adjustablerelative to the auxiliary locks and doors.
 10. A locker unit accordingto claim 9, wherein the drive is connected to move with a key for eachone of the auxiliary locks, the key having a rest position within theactuating device and a locking position outside the actuating device.11. A locker unit according to claim 1 wherein measurement valuetransmitters connected with a control device are assigned to the shutterand/or the auxiliary lock.
 12. A locker unit according to claim 11wherein the measurement value sensor assigned to the auxiliary lock isactivated at a distance from the door of the locker.
 13. A locker unitaccording to claim 11 wherein the control device is a locker computerconnected by translation components with a communications system forsignal transmission between the locker computer and central controlunit.
 14. A locker unit according to claim 13, wherein thecommunications system is formed by an armored wall of the locker unitand a line insulated from the armored wall and connected to the controlunit.
 15. A locker unit according to claim 14 wherein the line is formedby a track arranged on the doors of the lockers, with an insulatinglayer arranged therebetween.
 16. A locker unit according to 15 whereinthe track consists of an electrically conductive, especiallysemi-conductive, plastic.
 17. A locker unit according to claim 15wherein the connection of the track between the doors takes place bymeans of contact devices.
 18. A locker unit according to claim 14,wherein the line is formed by a photoconductor, and transmissionelements for wireless connection of the photoconductors are arrangedbetween the doors and the armored wall.
 19. A locker unit according toclaim 18 wherein the transmission elements are provided with aswivelling lens.
 20. A locker unit according to claim 15 wherein twotracks are provided and that a track arranged on the door is switchedwith the one track when the door is closed and with the other track whenthe door is open.
 21. A locker unit according to claim 13, whereincommunications system is wireless.
 22. A locker unit according to claim13, wherein the communications system comprises a signal receiverconnected to the control device and a signal transmitter connected tothe central control unit and located at a distance from the signalreceiver.
 23. A locker unit according to claim 13, wherein thecommunications system comprises a light transmitter and a lightreceiver, especially for infrared light.
 24. A locker unit according toclaim 23 wherein the translation component of the communications systemhas translation elements for superimposition of data on the signal, andfor screening of information from the signal, between the centralcontrol unit and the auxiliary lock.
 25. A locker unit according toclaim 1, wherein the auxiliary lock covers a keyhole for the mechanicallock arranged in the door.
 26. A locker unit according to claim 1,wherein the auxiliary lock or a group of auxiliary locks is connectedwith an input device.
 27. A locker unit according to claim 1, whereinthe auxiliary lock or a group of auxiliary locks is connected with aread device.
 28. A locker unit according to claim 23, wherein the linesof the communications systems are arranged in a housing of the auxiliarylock.
 29. A locker unit according to claim 1, wherein the housings ofthe auxiliary locks of adjacent doors are connected with one another bycontact devices.
 30. A locker unit comprising a plurality of lockerseach of which is provided with its own door, each door having a lockingdevice including a mechanical lock and an auxiliary lock attached to theexterior of the door facing away from the interior of the lockeradjacent to a keyhole in the mechanical lock by attachment means, theauxiliary lock having a rest position preventing opening of themechanical lock and an open position allowing opening of the mechanicallock, the mechanical lock having a locking bolt, the auxiliary lockhaving a locking pin movable in a direction perpendicular to theexterior surface of the door and spring means biasing the locking pinthe rest position engaging the locking bolt and holding it closed, theauxiliary lock further including an electric drive coupled to thelocking pin for disengaging the locking pin from the locking bolt, theauxiliary locks of the individual lockers being connected by a centralcontrol unit.